Accelerating device for dry pipe sprinkling systems



June. 6, 1933.

A. C. ROWLEY ACCELERATING' DEVICE FOR dDRY PIPE SPRINKLING SYSTEMS Filed June 4,

Patented JuneG,` 19,33

f UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE Anriirnn cinowiinr, ornanxnn HILL, PENNSYLVANIA, AssIGNonro GLOBE Auro- ..ilIArIo1slrRIIvIILEn` ooMPANY, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A conPoRA- i l 'rIoN or PENNSYLVANIA i"AGCELEBATINGDEVICE Pon DRY PIPE sPnrNKLING sYS'rnMs Application led June 4, 1932; Serial No. 615,443.`

\ This invention relates primarily to` devices purpose of effecting i a `quick release transverse partition 5 n communicates with` `the f for use in conjunction with dry. pipe `systems ofV automatic sprinkler` installations for the o air pressure in said systemfollowing opening of oneor more ofthe sprinkler heads., j

FA principal "object ofthe invention is to providei a simple Iand efiicient device of the stated1 character. c .j Another Objectis toprovide a device of the stated character so vconstructed that the interior working parts are iread'ily avail-` able -foncleaningand adjustment. j i #Theinventionfurther resides in lcertain novel `structural .detailsL and arrangements hereinafter set? forth and i illustrated inthe attacheddrawing, in l.which Figure 1 is averticalfsectionallview of a device mail@ inwaccordancewith my invention, and Fig-2 is a transverse `sectional View onthe line 2.-.-2,

ith reference to the drawing, my device `comprises a casingl having an inlet opening 2, `which in `practice is connected withA the dry pipe system, anda discharge .or outlet .The casing 1 has an` interior chamber 4 within which and depending from a isa cylindrical flange 6. The inletport` 2 p chamber 4 exterior of the flange 6, while the dischargeport 3 communicates through a passage 7 withthe space in the interior of the flange 6. i Movably mounted in the bottom of thecasing isa valve "8 which normally engages the lower end ofthe flange 6 and thereby prevents passage of air` from the chamber 4to the space in the interior of said flange, and hence from thelinlet port 2 to `the outlet.` l

Mounted in the top ofthe casing 1 is a dome 11 "providing a chamber which is partitioned from the ehamber 4 by a flexiblediaphragm 13 secured in the casing. This dia-V phragm carriesjahollow.fitting14 having a depending stem 15 which projects through an opening'in the partitioninto the space surrounded by the flange 6. this stem bears upon the upper face of the jyalve ("8, ,the stern and diaphragm normally The lower `end of Y beingisupported by the valve in the position shownin the drawing.

Carried by the valve 8 and projecting upwardly into the interior of the hollow stem 15is a pin 16, saidpin being so dimensioned as to provide between its outer surface and the inner wall Surface of the stem a restricted passage for air. Secured in and depending from the partition 5 and surrounding the stem 15 is 4a sleeve 17, the lower edge of this sleeve flying in a plane with the lower edges of the flange 6, so that the said lower edge "of the sleeve 17 `is also engaged by the valve` 8, `as illustrated, when` the said valve `is in the normal elevated position. fSpace for passage of air is provided between the outer surface of the stem 15 and theinner wall Surface ofthe sleeve 17, and the stem 15 is provided adjacent its lower end and below the upper pass completely through the wall of the stem. Thus, air in the chamber 4 is permitted to pass through an opening or openings 19 inv the partition 5 and between the stem 15 and the sleeve j ports to the interior of the stem. The valve 8, however, normally excludes this air from the annular Space between the flange 6 and' the sleeve 17, which as previously set forth is in communication through the passage 7 with the outletport 3. j

Carried by the fixture 14 and extending from the upper end of the interior passage of end of the pin 15 with ports 18 which 17 to theports 18 andthrough said the stem 15 is a Siphon pipe 21, which as illustrated turns downwardly and terminates at a point adjacent the bottom of the chainber 12. This latter chamber is preferably connected through a fitting 22 with an air pressure gage 23.

. In operation, the inlet port 2 is connected i i excessive temperature within the surround- C ing area. This dry pipesystem is also connected with a water supply system, the, con` nection being controlled by a suitable valve normally held closed against the water pressure by air pressure within the dry pipe system. The said air pressure is transmitted through the port 2 to the interior chamber 4 of the casing 1 and is prevented from passing to the air outlet 3 by the valve 8. When the air pressure is initially applied to the dry pipe system, it acts upon the diaphragm 13 to elevate the lixture 14 and its stem 15, the valve 8 being elevated to its seat against the lower edges of the flange 6 and the sleeve 17 by a spring 23`in the bottom of the casing. The air in the chamber 4 as previously set forth is permitted to pass between the sleeve 17 and the stem 15 and through the ports 18 to t-he interior of the stem, from whence it leaks past'` the pin 16 into the chamber 12 above the diaphragm. ln this manner, the air pressure in the chamber 12 gradually equalizes with the pressure in the chamber 4 and in the dry pipe system, the spring 23, however, being of suliicient strength to maintain the valve 8 in the normal elevated or seated position. If now one or more of the sprinklers of the dry pipe system open, the air pressure in the chamber 4 and at the lower side of the diaphragm 13 immediately falls below the pressure of the air in the chamber 12, which latter pressure is applied to the upper; side ofv the diaphragm. Immediate equalization of the pressure in the chamber 12 with the decreased pressure in the chamber 4 is prevented by reason of the fact that the'leakage of air from the dry pipe system and from the chamber 4 is greater than the leakage of air past the pin 16 from the chamber 12 to the chamber 4. Decrease of the pressure below the diaphragm 13, as described, permits the pressure in the chamber 12 to force the diaphragm 13 downwardly, thereby through the stem 15 depressing and unseating the valve 8 and permitting rapid escape of air from the chamber 4 and the dry pipe system with which it communicates to the annular space between the flange 6 and the sleeve 17 and through the passage 7 to the outlet port 3. This rapid exhaust of air from the dry pipe system insures a correspondingly rapid decrease in air pressure in the system and insures prompt opening of the valve connecting the dry pipe system with the water supply main. As the water enters the casing 1 from the flooded dry pipe system, the water pressure acting against the diaphragm 13 again elevates the diaphragm and the fixture 14 and permits the valve 8 to close, thereby preventing passage of water from the system to the outlet 3. Such small quantities of water as may pass upwardly past the pin 16 into the chamber 12 may be readily withdrawn through the siphon 21.

It will be understood that with balanced liuid pressures at opposite sides of the diaphragm 13, the spring 23 is sufficient to `iust overcome the weight of the fixture 14 to thereby permit thevalve 8 to seat against the 'liange 6 and the sleeve 17 whereby only a small preponderance of pressure in the chamber l2 over that in the chamber 4 is suiicient to cause a downward movement of the diaphragm unsea'ting the valve. The device accordingly is highly sensitive and will operate to exhaust the air from the dry pipe system immediately after the opening of a sprinkler head and the consequent decrease in air pressure in the dry pipe system. The opening of the valve between the water main and the dry pipe system is'thus greatly accelerated and insures a prompt supplyof water to .the sprinkler system.

It will 'be noted that the bottom of the casing 1 is formed by a removable fitting 24 which constitutes a cylinder for the valve 8 and insures proper location of the latter with respect to the flange 6 and the sleeve 17. The l'itting is threaded into the casing 1, and when removed affords ready access to the interior of the housing and to the valve. The pin 16 is secured in a recess in the valve by a threaded plug 25, the lower projecting portion of the valve into which this plug threads constituting a retainer for the spring 23, which latter seats in the bottom of the fitting 24. The body of the valve 8 is formed with an annular recess at the top for a suitable material, such as rubber or fibre, which being .-1 and a retaining ring 27, the latter being clamped down upon the diaphragm by the dome 11. At its center the diaphragm is clamped to the fitting 14 by a retaining ring 28 and nut 29, both threaded on the upper extension of the said fitting. characterized by extreme com actness and simplicity of assembly and is highly efficient in operation.

As described above, the device is employed as anexhauster for the dry-pipe system, but it will be apparent that by connecting the outlet port 3 with the intermediate chamber of the dry-pipe valve which connects the water main to the 4dry-pipe system, while the port 2 The device is. o

1s connected to said system as described above, Y

the device may constitute an accelerator functioning when a sprinkler head opens to equalize the pressures at the opposite sides of the dry-pipe valve clapper and thereby destroying the ability of th-e valve to hold back the waterfrom the system. The device, therefore, is essentially bothan exhauster Vand an accelerator, depending upon thel manner in kwhich it is connected inthe system. l

I claim:

1. In a device of the stated character, the

carried by the partition and forming a passage between saidA chambers, a pin carried by said valve and projecting into said stem to restrict said passage,means normally retaining said valve seated, and means whereby movement of the said partition due to unbalanced pressures in said chambers effects through said stem an unseating of the valve establishingcommunication between said inchamber and constituting a passage through which said chambers communicate, ports in said stem affording a continuous connection between the interior of the stem and said first chamber, spaced partitions surrounding said stem` andproviding an annular space` within said first chamber through which said chamber communicates with said outlet port, a valve adapted when seated to seal said space from the chamber, resilient means nor` mally retaining said valve seated, a pin carried by said valve and projectinginto the interior of said stem above said `stem ports to restrict said passage, said parts being so constructed and arranged that deflection of` said partition due to a preponderence of pressure in the second chamber effects an unseating of the valve to thereby establish direct connection between the said inlet and outlet ports.

3. In a device ofthe stated character, the combination with a housing, of a flexible element secured in said housing and dividing the interior thereof into independent chambers, said element having a hollow depending stem constituting a communicating passage between said chambers, openings in said housing constituting inlet and outlet ports for the rst of said chambers, spaced partitions in the last-named chamber surrounding said stem and providing therebetween a space communicatingwith said outlet port, a valve normally sealing said spacefrom said first chamber and constituting a seat for said stem, means providing for communication between the interior of said stem and the said first chamber, a pin carried by said valve and extending into the interior of said stem to restrict said passage, and means for normally holding said valve seated, said parts being so constructed and arranged that a `preponderance of pressure in the second `chamber ell'ects a movement of the diaphragm which acting through said stem un `seats thevalve to thereby establish direct `connection between said inlet and outlet ports.

t. In a device of the stated character, the

combination with a housing, of a flexible element secured in said housing and dividing the interior thereof into independent chambers, a hollow stem depending from said partition into one of said chambers and constituting a passage connecting said chambers, a member in said second chamber having an opening through which said stem` extends, flanges depending from said member at the edge oit' said opening and embracing said stem, said flanges being separated to formtherebetween a space communicating with the last-named chamber, a valve adapted to engage the lower edges of said flanges to seal said space from the chamber, said valve constituting also a support for said` stem, means for resiliently retaining the valve on its seat upon said flanges, means providing for communication between the lastenamed `chamber and the interior passage of said stem, a pin carried by said valve and projecting into saidpassage to restrict the latter, said housing having ports communieating respectively with the last-named chamber and with the space between said flanges, said ports being disconnected one from the other when said valve is seated and having communication with each other when the valve is unseated.

5. In a device of the stated character, the` `combination with a housing, of a flexible diaphragm secured in said housing and dividing the interior thereof into upper and lower chambers, a hollow stem depending from said diaphragm and constituting a passage through which said chambers communicate, annular radially spaced partitions embracing said stem and forming an annular chamber open at the bottom for communication with said lower chamber, the housing having ports communicating"respectively with the last-named chamber and the chamber formed by said annular partitions, a valve adapted to seat on the lower edges of said partitions to seal the chamber therebetween from said lower chamber, said valve forming a bearing for said stem, openings in the stem providing for communication between the interior of said stem and said lower chamber, a pin carried by the valve and` projecting into the stem above the last-named ports to restrict the stem passage, and a spring for normally retaining said valve seated, said parts being so constructed and arranged that a pressure in said upper chamber exceeding the pressure in the lower chamber causes a movement of the diaphragm which through the medium of said stem unseats the valve to afford direct communication between said housing ports.

`ARTHUR o. nowLnY. 

